Folau’s 13-hour meeting fails to break conflict

Folau’s 13-hour meeting fails to break conflict

After 13 hours of negotiations, Israel Folau and Rugby Australia have not come to a resolution, but talks will continue.

The sacked Wallaby and his netballer wife Maria Folau went to the Federal Court in Melbourne on Monday for a mediation meeting over his $14 million compensation claim against Rugby Australia.

Folau claims he was wrongfully dismissed by Rugby Australia and Rugby NSW after a controversial Instagram post in April condemning "drunks" and "homosexuals" and warning "hell awaits" them.

His lawyer George Haros told reporters in Melbourne late on Monday evening they weren't able to reach an "amicable solution" just yet.

"However, where we stand is that mediation remains on foot and (we) are hopeful to reach one (an agreement) in the coming days," he said.

Former Australian professional rugby league player Israel Folau and wife Maria Folau left together.

After talks ended on Monday night, Rugby Australia put out a short statement confirming talks had been adjourned, and that negotiations would resume at 11.30am AEDT on Wednesday.

There was no further comment.

The former rugby league and AFL player last week increased his compensation claim from $10 million to $14 million, and said the Wallabies would have done better in the 2019 Rugby World Cup if he was playing.

"I understand that not everyone shares my faith and some find it difficult to reconcile with their own beliefs," Folau said in a video posted on his website before the meeting.

"I want to be clear that I only share passages from the Bible as a gesture of love.

"We pray that we might all find redemption and peace in the words of the Lord Jesus Christ as we head to today's mediation, we also ask that He watches over us, so that both parties might realise the courage to uphold the truth." But Ms Castle said she had been sent messages and emails from the rugby community supporting the decision to sack Folau.

"That leaves us in no doubt that we are doing what's right. Israel's commentary subsequent to his termination has only reinforced this belief," she told reporters outside court in Melbourne, earlier on Monday.

Israel Folau looks on as his Solicitor George Haros reads a statement outside Federal Court.

"Israel admitted he had caused harm with his comments and stated that he would not curb his social media use and will post whatever he likes whenever he feels the need to share his views." Ms Castle said a tribunal found Folau had committed a high level breach of his contract and he had refused to curb his social media use.

"Rugby Australia is confident in its legal position but we come here today with a genuine desire to find a settlement that is sensible and reasonable so that we can return all our focus and resources to growing the game of rugby across Australia," she said.